Nilda, the young university student who suffered an explosion in Tarija, dies

Nilda had burns on 90% of her body

Nilda Choque Ramos, a 23-year-old university student, lost her life after suffering severe burns on 90% of her body due to an explosion that occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, April 25, in the La Loma neighborhood, on Ballivian Street and Avenida Cochabamba, in Tarija.

Nilda, from the city of Potosí, was in Tarija to study Business Administration at the Juan Misael Saracho Autonomous University (UAJMS). She rented the property where the tragic incident took place.

The young woman’s mother, accompanied by another of her children and Nilda’s boyfriend, have requested a thorough investigation of the case, as they do not believe that it was an accident. According to the victim’s boyfriend, the gas bottle in the house was intact and he believes that the explosion was not accidental.

The initial report of the incident, provided by the Police to the victim’s boyfriend, suggests that the gas from the kitchen bottle may have been concentrated in the bathroom, where Nilda entered to take a shower and, when she turned it on, the explosion occurred.

Nilda’s mother expressed her confusion and concern at the lack of clarity in the facts, pointing out that just after her daughter’s death, authorities began conducting investigations. The family insists that what happened be thoroughly investigated.

The young woman’s body will be transferred to Potosí to give her a Christian burial.